Improvement in dredging-machines



T. L. LEE. Dredging-Machine.

No- 204,584. Patented June 4,1878.

WITNESSES N. PEFERs, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C

ATTORNEYS- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS L. LEE, OF PADUGAH, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN DREDGlNG-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 204,584, dated June 4,1878 application filed Februsry 20, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS L. LEE, of Padueah, in the county ofMcOracken and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and Im-' fordeepening and widening the channels of the same by loosening and liftingthe sand, so that it may be carried by the current from the shoal placesand deposited in the deeper pools, thereby creatinga uniform depth ofwater.

It may also be of great value, and is designed to be used, in removingtemporary deposits in harbors Where there is a natural current; also, inleveling the bottom of jetties, or for obtaining at the bottom of theriver a level and solid base, on which to sink cribs, &c., for theconstruction of permanent dams.

'The invention consists in the particular construction of thedredging-cylinder, having a body constructed in the form of an elongatedshell, with longitudinal blades arranged upon the periphery of the same,so as to operate laterally upon the mud and sand, thus beating the sameso as to mix it with the water, Without overcharging the latter with agreater burden of the mud than it can successfully carry ofi.

The invention also consists in the arrangement of the drive-shaft withthe frame carrying the dredging-cylinder, which frame is pivoted nearits middle, and the drive-shaft is arranged concentrically with its saidpivots, so that not only a greater leverage is obtained in raising andlowering the dredging-cylinder, but the driving-shaft is arranged closerto the work to be performed, and is in line for operatin g for allpositions of the frame. The frame being partly balanced, also, by thelocation of pivots, it is made more sensitive in automatically recedingfrom and riding over obstructions when the cylinder in its rotationstrikes a snag or rock.

The invention also further consists in other details of construction,hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing, A represents a portion of the deck of a boat to which mydredging devices are applied. B B are pillow-blocks supported upon thesame, and forming bearings for the lever-frame and driving-shaft. C isthe lever-frame, consisting of two bars connected by cross-bars in frontand rear, and carrying in bearings in its forward end thedredging-cylinder D. This lever-frame is fulcrumed near its middle uponelongated hollow bearings or tubular shafts a a, which are supported inbearings b b of the pillow-blocks B B. The lever-frame is thus free tomove up or down upon the fulcrum, either to immerse the cylinder or liftthe same from the water. If, therefore, the dredging-cylinder shouldstrike a log or other obstruction, the frame yields and tilts upon itsfulcrum, instead of breaking the operating parts.

Instead of having the lever-frame moved upon the tubular bearings a a,the tubular bearings may be permanently fixed to the frame, and theirprojecting ends made to form journals or trunnions for the same, whichtilt with the frame upon the bearings in the pillow-blocks.

To rotate the dredging-cylinder abelt, E, is made to communicate powerfrom an engine to a drum or pulley, F, fixed on the shaft G. This shaftis made of a less diameter than the hollow bearings a of thelever-frame, and, after passing concentrically through the same, issupported in independent outside bearings c on the pillow-blocks B.

A doubly advantageous result is secured by this arrangement. In thefirst place, the effect of the drive-shaft is imparted to the cylinderirrespective of the position of the same and the inclination of thelever-frame; and, furthermore, the driving-shaft at its bearing isrelieved of the weight and frictional strain of the lever-frame andcylinder, the latter being supported upon the elongated tubular bearingsa, in which the drive-shaft loosely revolves.

In connecting the drive-shaft to the cylinder for the rotation of thelatter, various wellknown devices may be employed.

As shown, I have arranged upon opposite ends of the drive-shaft, andopposite ends of the cylinder, cranks d d d d, which are connected bypitmen e e. In the place of these devices, however, I may use achain-belt and pulleys, right-angularly arranged shafting withbevel-gears, or other suitable devices for accomplishing the sameresult.

In constructing the cylinder D, it is to be provided with a series ofknives or blades, f, arranged parallel or otherwise, and continuousthroughout the whole length of the cylinder or in sections. These bladesare made either hollow or solid. In transverse section they are V-shapedand have flanges at the base to fit the periphery of the cylinder, towhich they are fastened by bolts 9 passing through said flanges. Theseblades are designed to be of about six or eight inches in depth, and areespecially well adapted to the work required of them, for the reasonthat the V sh ape braces and strengthens them, while the bolts permitthem to be easily removed when broken or worn out and new onessubstituted.

As to the construction of the body of the cylinder, an ordinary boiler,with fines taken out, may be readily adapted to the purpose by puttingin strong heads and riveting or boltmg the journals to the same, anopening or man-hole being left for access to the interior in seourin gor removing the bolts of the knives.

To steady and strengthen the lever-frame against lateral shocks orabrasion, the rear ends of the side bars are arranged in bracedguide-posts H.

The machine may be made wholly of iron, or of wood and iron, thestrength of the device to be governed by the character of the work forwhich it is intended.

To raise and lower the cylinder, a drum, I, is fixed upon the boat, andis rotated by an engine to wind or unwind a cable, 11, and thus tilt thelever-frame upon its pivots.

The cylinder and operative parts of the machine are driven by anotherengine, connected to the shaft to which the driving drum or pulley isfixed, the steam to be taken from the same boilers that supply theengine which propels the vessel to which the machine is attached. Thevessel best adapted for this purpose is a square-stern side-wheel boat,the machine to be attached to the stern of the same.

By this mode of dredging the sand-bars are rapidly cut up, and theparticles, being put in suspension in the water, are rapidly carried outof the way, thus avoiding the cumbersome and laborious step of liftingand loading the mud and sand into receptacles and then hauling the sameaway.

I am aware that a dredging-cylinder composed of a series of circularsaws has been located and operated at the bottom of aframe swung onpivots at its forward end concentric with the drive-shaft; but in suchcase, the frame not being pivoted in the middle, there is not only agreat disadvantage of leverage,

but the drive-shaft is far removed from the dredging-cylinder.

I am aware, also, that a form of lever-frame similar to mine-i. 0.,pivoted in the middle has been employed in dredging-machines inconnection with a scoop and tackle for operating the same; but there ishere no drive-shaft concentric with its pivots, and no rotatingdredging-cylinder to co-operate with a sensitivelybalanced frame inreceding from or riding over obstructions. I therefore do not claim,broadly, a rotating dredging-cylinder, nor a centrally-pivoted frame;but

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. Adredging-cylinder composed of a hollow elongated shell, provided withlongitudinal beating blades or knives, flanged at their base and securedto the periphery of the cylinder by screw-bolts, as described.

2. The combination, with the lever-frame,

fulcrumed at or near the middle and carrying a revolvingcutting-cylinder at its outer end, of the drive-shaft arrangedconcentrically with the pivots of the lever-frame, as and for the purrose described.

3. The combination, with the lever-frame pivoted near its center, and adrive-shaft arranged concentrically with said pivots, of a tubularbearin g arranged to sustain the weight of the frame, and an independentconcentric bearing arranged to support the drive-shaft, substantially asdescribed.

4. The combination of the cylinder D, centrally-fnlcrumed lever-frame G,drive-shaft G, pitman e, cranks d d or their equivalents, guide-posts H,drum I, and cable h, substantially as and for the purpose described.

THOS. L. LEE.

Witnesses:

Enw. W. BYRN, SOLON C. KEMON.

